The Prince of Bac Lieu’s house is a famous tourist destination in Bac Lieu. The house is one of three ancient houses representing the culture of the old West. It is also associated with the legends about the name of the young prince of Bac Lieu. A notorious playboy of the past with the lyrics “burning money like paper to show off his wealth”. When visiting, you will be introduced to the architecture, the items in the house and listen to the explanation of the legends and biography of the Bac Lieu prince.
General information about Prince of Bac Lieu’s house
The house of the young master of Bac Lieu (currently merged to Ca Mau Province) is located at 13 Dien Bien Phu, Bac Lieu Ward. The house stands out in the area with its grandeur, bearing a timeless, luxurious Western architectural style. This is also a cultural site, associated with many legends and stories passed down through generations about the life of the most prominent young prince in the West.
This special house was built in 1919, when “Bac Lieu prince” Tran Huy Trinh was 19 years old. Bac Lieu prince’s house was designed and built by a French engineer, using quality materials imported from faraway France. With its massive scale, local residents also call this famous house the “Big House”.
Symbol of a golden age
Bac Lieu prince, a name associated with extreme wealth and the most luxurious lifestyle in the South in the early 20th century. When visiting Prince of Bac Lieu’s house, in addition to being introduced to the architectural features, the house’s history, related objects, and utensils, visitors are also told many anecdotes about its owner (Mr. Ba Huy) by the tour guide.
According to these anecdotes, Bac Lieu prince was the first Vietnamese person to own a private plane in the country; the first to visit rice fields by plane; The organizer of the first beauty pageant (the precursor to later beauty contests) in the South… Being from Bac Lieu, he owned a lot of land, salt fields (salt-making land), and coal mines, and he rented out most of the houses, so he was very rich. Typically, the story of the competition to burn money to cook sweet soup with the Bach (White) prince, or “Bac Lieu prince burned money to cook eggs to show off his wealth,” has been included in the lyrics…
Unique architecture of Bac Lieu prince’s house
The villa was designed by a French engineer, and most of the construction materials were brought from Paris. Many details, materials, and furniture in the house were imported from France, from bolts and screws to construction details, all of which bear the letter P stamp indicating their origin.
As soon as you step into the house, you will be captivated by the meticulous, sophisticated design lines that exude luxury and splendor. The golden lamps shine with shimmering light, creating a cozy and elegant feeling. Each pillar of the house is decorated with many beautiful patterns.
The first floor (ground floor) of the mansion includes 2 bedrooms, a living room, and 2 large halls, with a grand staircase leading upstairs. Upstairs, there are also 2 bedrooms and two large, airy halls that absorb sunlight and wind, keeping the mansion always cool and airy.
The staircase to the second floor is made of marble and divided into 3 sections, each with 9 steps, symbolizing longevity and eternity. The wooden staircase leading to the terrace was formerly used by Mr. Trach, the father of the Bac Lieu Prince, to dry money.
Up to now, the project is more than 100 years old, but the architectural and artistic values of Mr. Huy’s mansion have not only not been “outdated” compared to the times, but, on the contrary, have become more valuable and highly appreciated.
The house’s kitchen has been converted into a ticket counter for visitors. In the house, there are also many objects associated with the legend of “Black Prince” – the nickname of Mr. Huy.
Visiting the house of the young prince of Bac Lieu, you will admire the remaining valuable artifacts such as: 2 hot beds and a cold bed, a set of sofas made from a single piece of wood, a set of “Tam Lan” rotating tables (round table with stone top, triangular legs with 3 unicorns carved on it), a set of “Tuong Banh” (with the shape of an equipment tied to the back of an elephant to carry people and goods), a “Tam Thanh” where Tran Trinh Khuong, the younger brother of Bac Lieu prince, resting), the bed of Mr. and Mrs. Trach, a bed for opium smokers, a card table, a vase, … are all very valuable items.
Although there have been many losses over time, what remains is enough to attest to the lavish and regal life of the house’s owner.
Most of the objects in the house of the young master of Bac Lieu are preserved intact. Many appliances, such as music players and landline phones, are still working. The place where people stop the longest is the altar of Mr. Tran Trinh Huy and his first wife. People say that no one can count how many wives the Bac Lieu prince had, but the first wife, Mrs. Ngo Thi Den, was properly married, the daughter of a wealthy landlord in the area. The rest were his concubines, including a French woman.
Attractive Western tourist destination
The Bac Lieu Prince and his anecdotes have all become nostalgic memories of the past. Today, the mansion, also known as Bac Lieu Prince’s House, has become a favorite destination for domestic and foreign tourists. And it is also the anecdotes about the debauchery, the lavish lifestyle of the Bac Lieu Prince, that make tourists from far away even more curious, wanting to see for themselves the place where the Bac Lieu Prince lived.
Upon arrival, visitors also have the opportunity to relax in luxurious French-style rooms, fully equipped, and experience the life of a queen or a prince at the Bac Lieu Prince Hotel. With its ancient, luxurious beauty, the mansion is a great backdrop for “so deep” photos. Don’t forget to capture memorable moments at the main gate, garden, or inside the galleries.
Source: collected by An
Follow us for the best deals on Vietnam package tours and visa services!
Comment (0)